Polysaccharides Overview

Flashcards covering key concepts about polysaccharides, including their structures, functions, and differences.

What are polysaccharides created by?

Polysaccharides are created by condensation reactions bonding glucose monomers.

What is the function of starch in plants?

Starch serves as an insoluble store of glucose in plants.

What are the two types of polymers that starch consists of?

Starch is made up of amylose and amylopectin.

What is the difference between amylose and amylopectin?

Amylose is an unbranched helix, whereas amylopectin is branched due to one to six glycosidic bonds.

Where is glycogen found and what is its function?

Glycogen is found in animals, specifically in muscle and liver cells, and functions as a store of glucose.

What type of glucose is used to form cellulose?

Cellulose is formed from beta glucose.

How does cellulose provide structural strength?

Cellulose provides structural strength through long straight chains held by many hydrogen bonds, forming fibrils.

What advantage do the branched structures of glycogen provide?

The branching allows for rapid hydrolysis back to glucose for energy, which is critical for movement in animals.

How do the structures of starch and glycogen differ?

Glycogen is more highly branched compared to amylopectin in starch, allowing for better storage and rapid access to glucose.

Why are all three polysaccharides (starch, glycogen, cellulose) insoluble in water?

Being insoluble prevents them from affecting water potential and osmosis in cells.